Enabling UK Inter-site Medical Delivery Drone Operations: Meeting the logistical and operational challenges presented by SARS-CoV-2

Covid-19 crisis highlighted the potential benefits of using drones as an alternative, resilient, fast, flexible transport mode for inter-sites medical logistics. This recognition came at a time when inventories of supplies, surgical tools, samples were badly needed, but were not necessarily at the right place at the right time.

The use of drones supports social distancing, limits cross-contamination, and reduces medical and logistics staff exposure to unnecessary health risk. Yet, from the medical and healthcare communities' perspective, the knowledge and understanding gap, as well as the practical operational and physical infrastructure capability gaps to integrate routine drone operations are significant.

This project will create and validate national operational standards and technical requirements enabling the secure despatch, in-flight monitoring and receipt of medical supplies between UK medical centres by centre staff. The project partners, working closely with Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton & Dunstable hospitals, will specifically;

1\. Identify through national impact study where and how medical drone flight operations can deliver the greatest need within the shortest timescales

2\. Create the first UK set of standard operational procedures (SOPs) for routine drone enabled delivery operations through collaboration with hospitals & NHS trusts

3\. Demonstrate within hospital environments; the automatic take-off, remote piloting and precision drone landing by hospital staff using SOPs

4\. Demonstrate the launch and receipt of a medical use package via BVLOS drone flight from/to a hospital by hospital staff.

5\. Understand through simulations the air space management and operational requirements for future critical medical delivery nationally.